On The Edge of the World

As the world watched on, Felix Baumgartner jumped from 128,000 ft towards mass celebrations. This feat had never been successful before; new world records and a hero had been created in the process. No one can even contemplate what must have gone through his head at such unimaginable heights, with a global audience gripped by tension during the minutes of freefall that ultimately proved successful beyond what had been imagined. At a time of very little exciting news or events, this freefall will go down as one of this century’s greatest live moments.

During the seconds after the jump from the capsule, the world embraced in the live pictures of Felix on his descent from the edge of space, although the constant rotation and spinning gave a harrowing reality on what could have happened. After seven years of planning, the scenes of pure delight from the ground indicated that Felix had stabilised and was on his way safely home. To see a live event of such precedence on a Sunday night had been unheard of for many; the excitement of seeing such a huge event live streaming on YouTube had been a first for our generation.

From little exposure prior to the jump, to complete hysteria on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube, the event had exploded all over screens internationally. The efforts of the Red Bull Stratos team and Felix himself were plain to see and to even contemplate attempting this stunt was admirable. To pull it off however was truly on another level.

Although not a typical sport/hobby that can be enjoyed by the masses, the sheer size and scale of the feat that has been accomplished by Felix begs the question; why can’t we as teenagers and young adults strive for a dream? This story is another example of how one man can dedicate years of his life to reach an almost impossible goal; the anticipation and appreciation from a global audience expressing their genuine praise for such an achievement. As Americans supported the jump – consciously knowing that it was an Americans record being broken – conveys perfectly the sense of irrespective support and admiration of such an event.

As Felix so perfectly described it, 128,00 ft in the air: ‘Sometimes you have to get up really high to understand how small you really are. I’m going home now…’